Winter is nuzzling its way onto my dusty plot of Earth, though not via temperature drop. The time has changed — and times have changed — and darkness is bearing down. I am thus grateful to be going closer to the equator than I’ve ever been, with 12 hours of daylight in the land of the “pura vida.” With home currently full of hateful division stoked by political puppet-masters, the idea of reconnecting with the simple joys of life is exhilarating and reminds me that home isn’t necessarily where you live right now, but where you belong.
When I travel, the question of, “Could I live here?” lingers in my back of my mind. I’m evaluating the feel of a Place at every step:
- Is there enough nature and green space for me to expend my outdoor energy?
- Are the people friendly, and do I feel a sense of community? Do I feel like I would belong?
- How’s the weather? What’s the cultural scene like? How’s the government treating all of its people? etc, etc, etc
I do this because I’ve never been set on any traditional ideas of home. Home is where you are comfortable and safe, but such things are always subject to change and so are people. As I plan birding tours, volcano and waterfall hikes, fishing and beach cruising (aka many of my favorite things), that same questions returns to mind. Will Costa Rica be that Place (more to come…)? Or will I find it on the next trip?
Travel Notch 